Articles

Dangerous Conditions on Construction Sites

By:
Attorney Thomas R. Smith

Construction sites often pose dangerous and hazardous
conditions for those employed in the building trades. Typically, a site will have workers from
different employers and trades working at the same time. Each trade has responsibility to ensure a
safe environment for its employees, as well as for anyone else on the
site. The duty to coordinate, oversees,
and enforces the safety efforts of everyone usually rests upon the general
contractor. The general contractor
should set forth basic rules and regulations for working on the construction
site so that anyone using or employed on the site will not face unreasonable
risks of harm. There are other laws and
codes that set forth minimum rules for safety, such as the Occupational Safety
and Health Act, commonly known as OSHA.

Recently, a delivery person was killed while walking on a
construction site in Jersey City and struck tape measure that fell from
somebody’s pocket or belt while working above. Compensation for the decedent’s estate or beneficiaries can be had under
the appropriate Workers Compensation Act. Further, a civil case in negligence against the employer of the worker
who dropped the object, as well as against the general contractor for money
damages can be brought. If you or
someone you know is injured on a construction site, consult an attorney who
specializes in workers compensation and personal injury.